Channel conductor clamp



Nov. 3, 1936. H. w. PAPST H 2,059,899

CHANNEL CONDUCTOR CLAMP Filed June 29, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. I 3, 1933 I UNITED STATES.

2,059,899 crummconnuc'roa 0mm Hugh W. Paplt,

Anaconda Wire &

New York, N. I, assignor to Cable Company, New York.

N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application June 29,1934, Serial No.733,048

8 Claims. (cl. 113-251) This invention relates to clamps for electricalconductors, such as bus bars, constructed of channel shaped beams orelements formed into a hollow conductor of rectangular or similargeometric cross-section. I

when conductors carry powerful alternating currents vibratory -orpulsating electro-magnetic forces are set up. These forces tend to causethe conductor elements to clamps, particularly in hollow channel type ofbus bar where it is desirable to provide a longitudinal slip or slidingfit between the bus bars and the supporting mem-' bers.

An object of my invention is to provide a bus bar or conductor supportfor the channel type of construction which will hold the channelssecurely against chattering while permitting longitudinal expansion, ifdesired.

Various features of the invention are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a channel type of busbar and clamps embodying a preferred form of thesinvention; Fig. 2 is avertical cross-section of the clamp and channelonstruction taken on theline 2-2 of Fig. 1; Figs. 3, 4, and are respectively side, end anli, topviews ,of an element of the clamp. I

In my invention a pair of channel bars or elements II and II arearranged horizontally with the web vertical and the flanges at top andbottom slightly spaced and in reversed complementary relation to form astructure that is rectangular in cross-section and has longitudinallyextending spaces at top and bottom to permit a free circulation of airupwardly through the interior of the conductor.

The channel bars II and "are supported at intervals in their length on asupport or base I3 of porcelain, or other suitable insulating material,having a central rib I4 111' its upper surface to act as a spacerseparating the opposed edges of the channel bar flanges. I

The channels are similarly spaced position by a cap 15 of insulatingmaterial having' a'downwardly depending rib or spacer ele-- ment 16between the opposed edges of the uppermost flanges of the channel bars.The spacing elements It and ii are conveniently formed as longitudinalribs, but it willbe understood that any suitable projection or spacingmeans may be employed. l

The upper element or cap I5 is secured in position and clamped or helddownwardlyon to the channel elements by means of clamps l1, one atchatter in the supporting.

such constructions as the and held in each side of the bus bar andbolted to projecting flanges l8 and I8 respectively of the base It andcap 15. The clamps II also serve to hold the channel elements H and I!from sliding sidewise from their position between the base l3 and cap I.g

" The clamps Il may be of any suitable construction preferably, as shownin Figs. 1, 3, 4 and I 5, of a pair of T-section columns 20 and 2|having sockets at their upper ends to receive screws 22 for bolting theclamps between the flanges i8 and I9, and also having connecting webs 23and 24 at top and bottom. The webs 23 and 24 are recessed at 25 and 26respectively on their inner sides to receive the lower and upper ends ofan are shaped spring 21, the intermediate part of which bears againstthe outer surfaces of the channels II and I2.

The spring 21 holds the channels from opposite directions respectivelyagainst the central spacer elements I4 and It with a resilient actionthat takes up vibrational or pulsating forces and prevents the channelelements from vibrating or chattering between the spacer elements It andI6, and the inner surfaces of the clamps; At the same timeit permits alongitudinal freedom of motion for the channels ii and I! which may beabsorbed in flexible connectors at intervals along the bus run toprevent buckling when the channels become heated and expand. This alsorelieves the insulators of destructive strains due to bus expansion.

By the above invention a clamp of simple rugged construction is providedwhich may be very easily assembled and which holds the channel memberssecurely in position against sidewise movements and vibrations whilestill permitting the necessary freedom of movement in a directionlengthwise of the channels;

It will be obvious, of course, that the invention may be applied toacase where but a single channel is to be employed between upper andlower elements by a single clamp.

What I; claimis:

l. A channel bus bar clamp assembly which comprises a supporting basehaving a spacing means, a cap having a spacing means overly ing that ofthe base, channel members arranged in pairs one on each side of saidspacing means between said base and said cap in reversed positions toform a hollow conductor, a pair of clamping members, one at one side andthe other at the opposite side of said pair of channels connecting saidcap and said base and resilient means confined between said channelmembers and said clamping members.

2. A channel bus bar and supporting clamp assembly which comprises apair of channel members arranged with their upper and lower flangesextending horizontally in reversed positions to form a hollow conductorand with ad- Jacent edges of the said flanges slightly spaced, asupporting base and a cap, said base and cap having spacing ribs betweenthe edges of said flanges, clamp members connecting said cap and saidbase on the outer sides of said pair of channel members and spring meansreacting between said channel members and said connecting clamp membersto force said channel members resiliently against said ribs.

3. A channel bus bar and support assembly which comprises a pair ofchannel members positioned with their upper and lower flanges arrangedin reversed positions to form a hollow conductor, means between saidchannel members to slightly space the opposed edges of said flanges-andmeans on opposite sides of said pair of channel members to press saidchannel members resiliently against said spacing means. 4. Clamping andsupporting means for a channel bus bar which comprises channel memberspositioned with their upper and lower flanges arranged in reversedpositions to form a hollow conductor, a base, a cap, said base and saidcan each having a, central spacing means between apairof opposed edgesof said channel members, connecting members, one at one side and theother at the opposite side of said pair of reversely positioned channelmembers between said base and said cap, and a spring mounted between theinner face of each of said connecting members and said pair of channelmembers to force/said channel members resiliently against said centralspacing means.

5. Apparatus of the type described which comprises a horizontallyextending channel .beam, supporting means contacting the upper resilientmeans confined between said clamping means and adjacent side of saidbeam.

7. Apparatus of the type described which comprises a longitudinallyextending channel beam, supporting means-engaging the upper and lowersurfaces of said channel beam and having stops for the upper and lowersurfaces each respectively of one side of said beam, a clamping means atthe opposite side of said beam and an are shaped spring confined betweensaid clamping means and adjacent side of said beam.

8. A hollow bus bar and supporting assembly which comprises a pair ofconductor elements each having upper and lower surfaces extending towardthe upper and lower surfaces respectively of the opposite element,spacing means between the upper and lower surfaces of said respectiveconductor elements, and means on opposite sides of said pair ofconductor elements to press said members resiliently toward said spacingmeans.

HUGH W. PAPST.

